Page 69 of Forbidden Fruit

"There's been an unanticipated development," he said curtly. "We need to enact precautions around the safehouse immediately."

I straightened in alarm as he continued. "Some of Father's enemies are making a move on the family while things are in turmoil. There's going to be an attack."

Leonardo reacted swiftly, all business. "I'll sweep the perimeter again and contact our informants for intel on size and armaments. We'll need to-"

"No." Enzo's sharp interruption silenced us both. His flinty gaze was fixed on me. "Natalia should be the one to take point fortifying this location."

I gaped at him. "What? You want me in charge of defense?"

"No, she stays out of harm's way," Leonardo protested heatedly.

But Enzo was unmoved. "If we are separated, she needs to know how to secure herself here." His eyes never left mine. "You wanted more responsibility, little sister? Now is the time to show what you are made of."

My pulse raced anxiously. But beneath the nerves, I felt the smallest spark of anticipation. Enzo was right - I had demanded greater trust and autonomy. This was my chance to prove myself capable without them. That I was more than just a figurehead princess.

Squaring my shoulders, I met Enzo's piercing gaze and nodded. "Tell me what to do."

For the next hour, my brother drilled me thoroughly on fortification protocols and strategic defense. Leonardo chimed in occasionally with his own blunt tactical advice, though reluctance remained etched on his brow. But they both knew this was non-negotiable now. I needed to step up with our unit under attack.

When Enzo was finally satisfied with my walkthrough of security measures, he pronounced "Not bad, little sister. You'd make a decent consigliere with that focus." His rare, approving smile bolstered my confidence even as nerves continued fluttering wildly in my stomach.

Too soon, Leonardo was shrugging into his leather jacket, weapons concealed but within easy reach. He paused to cup my face tenderly. "No unnecessary risks, understand? Wait safely here for us."

I nodded, seeing the barely restrained fear in his dark eyes. However much bravado he showed going into the viper's nest, Leonardo would rather spirit me away entirely from these dangers if he could.

"Look after each other," I entreated softly. Reaching up, I cradled the side of his head and brought his mouth down to mine for one last fervent kiss before they walked out. Leonardo's stubbled chin scraped my palm, grounding me when I would have clung to him desperately.

And then, in a swirl of tension and unspoken dread, I was alone in the too-quiet safehouse. I busied myself double checking the bolted doors and windows, hands only shaking slightly. My men believed I was capable. I could do this, I had to - lives depended on it.

The next several hours passed agonizingly slowly as I waited for any word the threat had passed. Eyes glued to my phone,I nearly jumped out of my skin when an unexpected knock sounded at the side door. Had the enemy found us already?

Heart racing, I crept to peek through the peephole. A wave of relief crashed over me seeing Leonardo's weathered face instead of an armed assailant.

I hurried to unlock the three deadbolts separating us. As soon as the last one clicked open, Leonardo shouldered his way inside, movements oddly stiff. That's when I noticed the ominous red stain spreading across his shirt.

"Leonardo! You're hurt!" I exclaimed. He grimaced, one arm pressed over his side.

"It's not bad, just a graze," he muttered, but I could tell it was more than that from his pinched expression.

Guiding Leonardo to sit at the rickety kitchen table, I quickly gathered the well-stocked first aid kit. He obediently lifted his shirt with a pained hiss so I could assess the damage. My stomach lurched at the deep gouge across his ribs still oozing blood. Definitely more than a graze.

I focused on carefully cleaning and bandaging the nasty wound, hands blessedly steady. Leonardo remained stoic, though his muscles tensed whenever I probed too near the ragged tear in his flesh.

"What happened out there?" I finally asked.

Leonardo's jaw tightened. "Things turned volatile fast. We were covering the northwest sector when a faction ambushed us from behind." His eyes clouded, clearly reliving the violence. "I lost track of Enzo in the firefight."

My breath caught in dismay. Leonardo seemed to read my spiraling thoughts. "Hey, Enzo's tough as they come. I'm sure he found a way out." But I could hear the doubt in his voice too.

I taped down the bandage gently. Enzo was highly trained, but up against ruthless mafia assassins? Fear for him gnawed at my gut.

Leonardo stood gingerly, shrugging his shirt back on. "I have to go back out there, try to find him."

"Like hell you do!" I protested. "You're in no shape for more action now."

Leonardo's expression hardened. "He's your brother, Natalia. I won't abandon him."

Seeing the determination blazing in his eyes, I knew arguing was futile. I swallowed thickly. "At least let me come too. I can watch your back."

---